Britain’s biggest spider is making a ‘huge comeback’. Fen raft spiders, which can grow as large as a human hand and can walk on water, were on the verge of extinction back in 2010 due to habitat loss but now they’re reappearing across parts of Norfolk.
Like we said, with a leg span of up to 70mm and a body length of up to 22mm, they’re the biggest spider you can find in the UK. If the size doesn’t give it away, you can recognise the creatures by their brown body decorated with distinctive cream or white stripes, or by the way they ruthlessly feast on fish, tadpoles and even full-grown dragonflies.
As much as they may give you the jitters, the return of the fen raft spider is very good news. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is celebrating their revival as a major victory for conservation, as it is a sign of improving wetland health.
While they mostly live in marshes, canals and ponds and tend to be ‘fairly shy’, a few fen raft spiders have been spotted making unwelcome visits to people’s homes in Norfolk as temperatures drop. The good news is that they’re not venomous and they don’t pose any threat to humans (their bite is no more painful than a bee sting).
Tim Strudwick, site manager at the RSPB Mid Yare nature reserve told Mail Online: ‘The fen raft spider is one of the UK’s rarest invertebrates and we are proud of the role our reserves and teams have played in its recovery.
‘These spiders have an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches on our reserves. The females are impressive in size, but also beautiful – they are truly special to see.’
Jane Sears, an RSPB ecologist, added: ‘The RSPB has played an important role in the reintroduction of these spiders and means we must continue to restore, manage and protect the wetland habitats where the fen raft spider thrives to ensure the future of not just this species, but many others too.’
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